Michael Pachla: Broadcaster Don Stevens talks of Amerks, Sabres management, and prospects

1st

I have ZERO confidence in this organization to turn this mess around...

I have ZERO confidence in this organization to turn this mess around...
- hehateme

I get what you're saying, but it's a tough road to hoe being a fan with an outlook like that...I can't get there

I have ZERO confidence in this organization to turn this mess around...

I have ZERO confidence in this organization to turn this mess around...
- GERBE!!!75PTS

we knew that

I was 100% on board with the Bylsma firing...but was surprised at the Murray firing. This piece opened my eyes a bit. I don't pay a ton of attention to the Amerks, outside of Nylander's (and a handful of other top prospects) stat-lines. But I can see now how Murray depleted the depth of this organization for a couple players for the big club, albeit players that are major contributors.

I do believe this team will turn it around, and I am very hopeful it's Botterill who gets the keys. Everything I've read about him sounds exactly like what you would want in a GM.

Give me Estephen, Asplund, Pu, Possler, Stevens, and Borgen on the Amerks this season, and I'll be a happy camper.

I was 100% on board with the Bylsma firing...but was surprised at the Murray firing. This piece opened my eyes a bit. I don't pay a ton of attention to the Amerks, outside of Nylander's (and a handful of other top prospects) stat-lines. But I can see now how Murray depleted the depth of this organization for a couple players for the big club, albeit players that are major contributors.

I do believe this team will turn it around, and I am very hopeful it's Botterill who gets the keys. Everything I've read about him sounds exactly like what you would want in a GM.
- gipper0073

I get the roster purge and I get that patience is asked for when restocking the rosters... but to go all season with only using 45 or less of 50 available contracts makes absolutely no sense to me

Jon Rosen‏Verified account @lakingsinsider

The impression that the Kings and Mike Futa have is that Futa is no longer under consideration for the open Buffalo GM position.

Works for me I didn't want to be like the Kings

I get the roster purge and I get that patience is asked for when restocking the rosters... but to go all season with only using 45 or less of 50 available contracts makes absolutely no sense to me
- Michael Pachla

Murray made tons of big moves early and when some of them didn't work the way he envisioned, he seemed to sit back this year afraid to do anything else, even if meant just signing stopgaps for Rochester.

Jon Rosen‏Verified account @lakingsinsider

The impression that the Kings and Mike Futa have is that Futa is no longer under consideration for the open Buffalo GM position.

Works for me I didn't want to be like the Kings
- Stripes77

I'm no longer under consideration for the GM job either.

Murray made tons of big moves early and when some of them didn't work the way he envisioned, he seemed to sit back this year afraid to do anything else, even if meant just signing stopgaps for Rochester.
- sskkoo1

that's the thing...I just don't get it...for a guy who wasn't afraid to make many big moves, why did he sit tight, especially once the injuries started hitting and he was sucking the life out of the Amerks

that's the thing...I just don't get it...for a guy who wasn't afraid to make many big moves, why did he sit tight, especially once the injuries started hitting and he was sucking the life out of the Amerks
- Michael Pachla

I heard he is a drunk

Edit:
Some drunk guy used to post that here when the Sabres starting losing.... For some reason he never posted that after a win.

I heard he is a drunk
- jochfr

us grant was an alcoholic and he lead the union army to victory...mickey mantle was a drunk as well...

your point?

us grant was an alcoholic and he lead the union army to victory...mickey mantle was a drunk as well...

your point?
- Michael Pachla

See edit

See edit
- jochfr

2 l8

As Sabres fans, we were told to be patient and for the most part we are and were. Still am, takes a long time to build a power house which the Sabres really have never been. Basically a team on the Bruins Canadians Penguins etc etc schedule.

I do find it alarming the lack of judgment the Pegulas have with management. Doesn't really scream patience or especially competence.

I also find it alarming the lack of prospect depth the Sabres have at this point.
The Leafs on the other hand look more solid for the future with all their depth and with pieces still left to potentially move.

All said, still have faith Sabres are still overall trending in right direction only because of Eichel and Risto.
Need to get someone intelligent and who demands respect to oversee operation.

First step that continues to be missed is firing Russ Brandon. The face of losing.
Would like to see Sabres go outside organization and make a pitch to Mark Messier for president.

that's the thing...I just don't get it...for a guy who wasn't afraid to make many big moves, why did he sit tight, especially once the injuries started hitting and he was sucking the life out of the Amerks
- Michael Pachla

I kind of understand. He came in sort of cocky, a wheeling dealing gunslinger, he threw assets around as if he couldn't lose, and then as time past, he saw he didn't do so well. Media started coming down on him, the fan base was female doging about his trades, other GMs, I guess, started looking at him as a joke and an idiot. At that point, a person would probably start keeping their head down, their mouth shut, and want to lie low for a while. I think Murray did just that last season, only he still need to make at least a few small moves to help run the organization, but he chose to do nothing.

Very interesting how Bailey and Baptiste are comparable, however, Bailey got the most NHL time this season of the two.

I kind of understand. He came in sort of cocky, a wheeling dealing gunslinger, he threw assets around as if he couldn't lose, and then as time past, he saw he didn't do so well. Media started coming down on him, the fan base was female doging about his trades, other GMs, I guess, started looking at him as a joke and an idiot. At that point, a person would probably start keeping their head down, their mouth shut, and want to lie low for a while. I think Murray did just that last season, only he still need to make at least a few small moves to help run the organization, but he chose to do nothing.
- sskkoo1

i'm thinking that it was more of a financial decision...I don't have any hard proof but there a couple of things that don't make sense for an owner willing to spend money....like why were they so worried about the salary cap when they could've created room by putting mccormick on ltir?...instead they penny-pinched the cap by moving players up and down daily

Very interesting how Bailey and Baptiste are comparable, however, Bailey got the most NHL time this season of the two.
- Sabre_Tooth

I know people are going to dislike this but I think one of the two is going to be gone for a defenseman

Very interesting how Bailey and Baptiste are comparable, however, Bailey got the most NHL time this season of the two.
- Sabre_Tooth

yet baptiste had more goals and the same number of points in less games

As Sabres fans, we were told to be patient and for the most part we are and were. Still am, takes a long time to build a power house which the Sabres really have never been. Basically a team on the Bruins Canadians Penguins etc etc schedule.

I do find it alarming the lack of judgment the Pegulas have with management. Doesn't really scream patience or especially competence.

I also find it alarming the lack of prospect depth the Sabres have at this point.
The Leafs on the other hand look more solid for the future with all their depth and with pieces still left to potentially move.

All said, still have faith Sabres are still overall trending in right direction only because of Eichel and Risto.
Need to get someone intelligent and who demands respect to oversee operation.

First step that continues to be missed is firing Russ Brandon. The face of losing.
Would like to see Sabres go outside organization and make a pitch to Mark Messier for president.
- doctordizzle

Sabres still have prospect depth, it's just young depth, there are no real players ready to step in now and be serious NHLer (maybe Guhle) I do feel this is a reason why we need to keep our pick this draft. We need high end talent being groomed in the system, we've dumped plenty of picks and prospects over the past 3 years and it's starting to show in Rochester now. A defenseman at 8 and another one in the second round along with a scoring winger with the other 2nd round pick would really help.

yet baptiste had more goals and the same number of points in less games
- Michael Pachla

Well, I guess you don't get anything for tanking in the AHL #GMTM